Page 52 of The Defiance of a Scottish Heart
“Aye, but then are you prepared to deal with whatever you hear?”
“I don’t understand. Of course, I can deal with it. It’s probably one of their guards.”
“And what do you plan to do about it?”
“I don’t know. Take them to the sheriff.”
Lennox snorted. “Do you think the sheriff will do something about someone touching her inappropriately? And the sheriffcould force a marriage. Do you want her married to Fitz or someone else?”
Taskill hadn’t considered that possibility. He scratched the beard he hadn’t the time to trim. Lennox stared at his brother, uncertain of how to answer his question.
Lennox barked, “Who would dare touch her? I can’t get past that. Dermot would kill whoever abused his lass. And Sloan would beat him for sport. String him up in the courtyard.”
“I’d kill anyone who touched Eva. Lennox, is it wrong that I wish to do the same to whomever hurt Sheona?”
“Nay. I know exactly how you feel.”
“But what is Dermot going to do? And what about Mama? I wonder if she offered to help him. I couldn’t hear everything that was said.”
“Nay. I don’t know what either one is going to do. Dermot asked Mama for advice, I believe. But I have no idea what she told him. I wished to speak with you before I approached her. What are your plans?”
They arrived at Duart Castle and found Hagen at the gates with Jowell. Taskill didn’t miss the change in Hagen’s composure, but he asked the best question he could. “Welcome, MacVeys. Any Rankins coming along behind you?”
“Nay,” Lennox said. “You’re safe. Dermot has gone home.”
Hagen visibly relaxed. “I hope Sheona is doing well.”
“Maitland or Dyna around?”
“Aye, both just entered the hall for a brief repast. Please join them. Jowell and I will take care of your mounts.”
Lennox and Taskill headed into the great hall, greeting anyone they met along the way. Taskill entered behind Lennox, pleased to see that Connor was also inside. He waved them over to the area in front of the hearth. “Come on in. Winter is coming to Duart. This will be our first full winter here. I’m interestedto watch the storms on the seas. Dyna will be right back, and Maitland is grabbing meat pies and ale. Have a seat.”
Dyna arrived next with her three bairns in tow: Sylvi, Tora, and Sandor. The three ran to the crate in the corner that held their toys. Sandor grabbed his toy sword while the lasses grabbed miniature bows with small arrows.
Maitland came out of the kitchens taking a bite out of a meat pie, Grant tied to his chest, the lad set to kicking as soon as his gaze fell on the others. “I’ll let you down in a moment, Grant.” He held the meat pie up to the lad’s mouth and he took a bite, hands and feet all swinging. “MacVeys! Nice to see you. What is new on the isle? Pardon my busy hands. It’s often easier if I feed the laddie. Otherwise, everything goes flying.”
Lennox said, “That’s why we come to you. You know more about what happens on the isle than we do, many times. What have you heard since the festival?”
Dyna said, “I heard Dermot took Sheona to Iona, straight to the nunnery. I suspect to scare her into marrying you, Taskill. What is everyone saying about that?” She gave Taskill a pointed look.
“Only that she’s decided to take her vows. And Dermot is verra upset about it.”
Connor asked, “Does that surprise you? I don’t know the lass well, but she does not seem to be the type to become a nun.”
“It surprises me,” Lennox said. “I don’t know what is going on with Sheona, but I don’t see her as a nun. The way she used to dive into the sound when she was younger doesn’t strike me as someone who wishes to devote their lives to Our Lord. She was always full of life.”
Taskill mumbled, “It surprises me too. Something is wrong. I’m uncertain what, but I intend to find out.”
Dyna said, “If you traveled to Ionaland where Simone’s sister takes care of all the bairns, you might not think it’s so bad. They all love it on Iona. It’s a beautiful isle with sandy beaches.”
Taskill couldn’t explain how he felt. That he needed to go grab Sheona and protect her from whatever, or whomever, hurt her. Keep her away from anything and anyone. “I have to do something. This is gnawing at me, eating up my insides, though I don’t know why. And I have no idea what to do to help her. Dyna, may I ask a question?”
“Aye.”
“Do you or your daughters have the ability to see what has happened to someone in their past?”
Dyna shook her head, pausing to narrow her gaze at Taskill. “Nay. Why do you ask? Did someone hurt Sheona?”
